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Air Force Armament Museum
Categories: Local Flavor Arts & Entertainment Museums Local Flavor, Museums [Edit]
100 Museum DrEglin AFB, FL 32542
(850) 651-1808
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
3 reviews for Air Force Armament Museum
3 reviews in English
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Review from Kellie S.
Garland, TX
The kids loved every section of the museum. If you are in the area, I highly suggest taking the kids here because it is free and open to the public. There was an awards ceremony the time we went. We had be quiet so not to disturb their serivce but it was an honor to be around some of the men who serves our country.
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Review from Danielle S.
Houston, TX
12/30/2009 1 photo
Situated on Eglin Air Force Base between Shalimar and Valparaiso, the Air Force Armament Museum is dedicated to those things that drop from planes and go boom--yes, "armament" is just a fancy way of saying "bomb". Big bombs, small bombs, old bombs, new bombs...they're all here, organized by conflict, alongside the history of aviation. In addition, a small piece details the history of Eglin Air Force Base and some of the military minds that have trained there, such as Jimmy Doolittle and his Tokyo Raiders, who bombed Tokyo in 1942.
The museum was built in the 80's and is sadly showing its age--there's very little that's modern or fresh about this place but it looks like they're fundraising to refurbish it. Interactivity is at a minimum and the whole museum is more of the "read it on the wall" variety, which isn't bad but tires you out pretty quickly. There is a small theater and a 30 minute film which discusses the history of the base. Some neat highlights included a page from a POW's diary and a display of patches from current Eglin squadrons, including my boyfriend's (USAF Ret.) dad's--the Fightin' Gorillas of the 58th, if you're interested.
Outside there's an array of fighter planes from several conflicts, starting with WWII and continuing nearly to the present day. You can drive through a short path to look and read about them, but the best way to approach it is on foot. You'll never understand how truly massive the B-52 is until you get up close and personal, or how much the Blackbird looks like a UFO.
All in all it's a quaint little museum, but you may be better served making the trip to Pensacola to the Naval Aviation Museum if you're really wanting to scratch your military history itch. It's a little too rough around the edges currently for me to recommend as a must-see.Listed in: Destin-ations
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Review from Ashley S.
Panama City, FL
Great Museum! A must see while at Eglin AFB. This museum is open to the public and free! Lots of great exhibits.
